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Dr. Brian Ott, Ph.D.
Psychologist |  Author, Staring Down Panic
ott.brian@mgh.harvard.edu

© 2026 Dr. Brian Ott, Ph.D.. Site by J.Bonito Creative

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Recent Presentations & Publications

  • Ott, B.D. (2009) Effects of Incentive on Estimates of Anxiety, Self-Efficacy and Likelihood of Approach Behavior During Exposure to an Anxiety Provoking Stimulus. Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Ott, B.D. (2010) Definitions of Exposure and Response Prevention: Could Wikipedia be Wrong? International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Annual Conference
  • Ott, B.D. (2010) Theoretical Perspectives and Intervention Strategies in the use of ERP by OCD Therapists. International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Annual Conference
  • Ott, B.D., Alosso, J., Rose, G, Gironda, C., Clark, J. and Stewart, E. (2011) The Relationship between Motivation and Clinical Outcome During Residential Treatment for Severe OCD. International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Annual Conference
  • Kuller A. & Ott, B.D. (2010) US and UK Use of CBT in the Treatment of Schizophrenia. Community Mental Health Journal, 46, 2-9.
  • Ott, B.D. (2010) Anxiety: body, behavior and belief. Asperger’s Association of New England – Anxiety and Asperger’s Conference
  • Ott, B.D. (2010) Use and misuse of exposure therapy techniques. Massachusetts Psychological Association Continuing Education Seminar Series.
  • Ott, B.D. (2012) What is and is not Exposure Therapy. Contemporary Forums: Psychiatric Nursing 2012.
  • Ott, B.D. (2012) What is and is not Exposure Therapy for Returning Veterans. Vets Inc. and Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.
  • Ott, B.D. (2012) Relationship of Violence Level in Adult Sexual Offenses and Offender Childhood Trauma. Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Ott, B.D. & Hagen, R. (2013) The use of passive smartphone data in the prediction of daily negative and positive affect states.   Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Ott, B.D. (2013) Orienting the Patient to Exposure and Response Prevention. Orienting the patient to exposure and response prevention. Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education / Cambridge Health Alliance Continuing Education Course.
  • Schwaiger, E., O’Connor, M & Ott, Brian D. (2014) The interpersonal style of adults with autism apectrum disorder. Annual Meeting of the Association for Neuropsychiatry
  • Flanagan, K & Ott, B. (2015) Relationship of homonegativity and disclosure of sexual orientation.   Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association.
  • Ott, B.D. (2016) Orienting Patients to ERP and Cognitive Restructuring Components of CBT of Anxiety. Seacoast Anxiety Symposium.
  • Allen, K., Burda, T., Ott, B., & O’Connor, M. (2016) Distractibility and Aging: Relationship of Scores on the Useful Field of View Across Age and Mini Mental Status Exam. Journal of Psychological Sciences, 2, 130-147.
  • Ott, B.D. (2017). Theoretical Considerations in the Use of Exposure and Response Prevention.   Massachusetts Psychological Association Continuing Education Seminar Series.
  • Ott, B.D. & Tillman, E. (2017) The effect of search engine availability on memory storage.   Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Ott, B.D. (2017). Translational Research and Orienting the Patient to Exposure and Response Prevention in the Treatment of Panic Disorder. Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education / Cambridge Health Alliance Continuing Education Course.
  • Ott, B. & Joseph, L. (2017) Mysticism, Technology and the Music of the Summer of Love. Journal of the American Society on Aging, 41(2), 27-33.
  • Ott, B.D. (2017) Upstairs/Downstairs: Colocation and Reverse Colocation in a Community Health Center Setting.   Department of Medicine Grand Rounds , Massachusetts General Hospital Division of General Internal Medicine
  • Ott, B.D. (2018) Staring Down Panic: Your Guide to Effective Use of Exposure and Response Prevention. Boxford: Matchstick Books.
  • Ott, B.D. (2018). The Seven Deadly Sins of Exposure and Response Prevention. Massachusetts OC Foundation Lecture Series.
  • Ott, B.D. (Symposium Chair) (2018) Myths and Data Regarding the Use of Technology Mediated Psychological Intervention. Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Ott, B.D. & Cottrell, Z. (2018) The mediating role of self-esteem in performance anxiety. Annual Convention of the Association for Psychological Science.
  • Volpacchio, A., Glazier Leonte, K., & Ott, B. (2018) Alarmingly Low Rates of Utilization and Knowledge of Exposure and Response Prevention for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Among Mental Health Providers. Paper nresented at the International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Annual Convention, Washington D.C.
“

Dr. Ott reveals himself as a clinician and teacher who makes the complex simple without being simplistic and a compassionate clinician who appreciates the task at hand. Staring Down Panic is a must read for patients and clinicians alike.

Bruce A. Levine, Ph.D. ABPPClinical Psychologist, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, State University of New York Emeritus Editorial Board Member, Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry
“

In Staring Down Panic, Dr. Brian Ott has provided a book that is clinically astute, scientifically informed, and “user-friendly.” Essentially, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone who suffers from panic attacks or acute anxiety, just as much as it is a practical and directly applicable guide for mental health providers in their work with anxious and panic-disordered patients. In this book, individuals will find understanding of … and relief from … panic and anxiety. At the same time, providers will find interventions grounded in the latest findings from cognitive neuroscientific research. Through stories, personal and professional, you will delight in Dr. Ott’s blending of clinical expertise and heartfelt concern for his readers.

David Gleason, Psy.D.Founder and Director, Developmental Empathy, LLC , Author of At What Cost?
“

Staring Down Panic is a must-read for those who experience impairing anxiety and panic, medical and behavioral health professionals who encounter them, and psychotherapists who aspire for excellence in the effective treatment of anxiety and panic.

Robert Kinscherff, Ph.D., J.D.Senior Fellow in Law and Applied Neuroscience Center for Law, Brain and Behavior, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Law School
“

Staring Down Panic is an easy-to-read, comprehensive book that uniquely integrates psychoeducation about the etiology of anxiety with the experiences of those who battle panic every day. This is accomplished through a clever and unconventional weave of refreshingly real clinical conversations and clearly stated clinical instruction. While there are many self-help manuals written to assist in the treatment of panic disorder, this book stands out in its orientation of providing both a framework for treatment interventions based on behavioral theory alongside a comprehensive review of associated research findings. Dr. Ott does a remarkable job of taking complicated research and clinical concepts and making these concepts relatable and relevant to those struggling with anxiety and panic. While this book is written specifically for panic disorder, its concepts and clinical applications can be used across a range of anxiety disorders. Get ready for a view of panic that toggles between the lecture hall seat and the therapy office easy chair.

Karen Jacob, Ph.D.Director of Clinical Services, Gunderson Residence, McLean Hospital
“

This is an encouraging and optimistic work, not least of all because it refuses to encourage beyond the point of good sense. This is a guide to panic, thank goodness, that refuses to pander. (Beware of therapists who promise you the moon.) Instead what it does is educate, in an inimitable tone that, like Brian’s own, is at once comforting, witty, and bracing.

Daniel SmithAuthor of the NY Times Bestseller Monkeymind
“

The effectiveness of Exposure and Response Prevention has been documented in countless professional articles and is recommended as a best practice for many of the anxiety disorders. In Staring Down Panic, Dr. Ott translated this wealth of scientific data into a practical clinical resource for both patients and professionals. This engaging book is the work of a clinician and teacher. The behavioral and biological complexities of anxiety are captured and addressed in lessons that are true to the experience of those who suffer from it. Those lessons are structured in a manner that eases the task of applying these insights into our daily lives. This is a book you will read and gladly consult as you tackle your panic and anxiety.

Kim Leonte, Ph.D.Executive Director, Clearview Horizons

Monkey Mind

For a patient’s-eye view of Brian’s approach, he enthusiastically recommends Monkey Mind, A Memoir of Anxiety by Daniel Smith. Brian is the therapist mentioned in this book.

Additional Resources

Dr. Alex Solodyna

Watertown

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Dr. Jeff Waitkus

Cambridge

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Dr. Kim Leonte

Andover

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Dr. Gary Dolinsky

Beverly

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Brian’s Credentials

1980  |  Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Hofstra University
1980  |  Certification in Rational Emotive Therapy, The Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy, Supervision by Dr. Albert Ellis
1981  |  Post-Doctoral Internship in Behavior Therapy, Behavior Therapy Unit, Temple University Medical School, Supervision by Dr. Joseph Wolpe
1982 to present  |  Member, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
1992 to present  |  Member, Association for Psychological Science
1986 to present  |  Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
1989 to present  |  Doctoral Program Faculty, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology/William James College
1995 to 1999  |  Behavioral Health Advisory Board, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts
2005 to 2007  |  CBT Training Coordinator, Amir Duwan for Social Development, Kuwait City, Kuwait
2006 to 2008  |  Mintz Chair in Professional Psychology, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
2016 to present  |  Officer and Executive Committee, Massachusetts Psychological Association
2016 to present  |  EPPP Step 2 Implementation Task Force, Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards